Transfer and utilisation of agricultural irrigation innovations in Tanzania: a case of basin irrigated paddy innovations in Mvomero district
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Date
2011
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Use of improved technologies has remained the major strategy used by governments to
increase agricultural productivity and promote food and livelihood security to smallholder
farmers in different countries. However, irrigation schemes using water harvesting and
simple river diversion practices produce the bulk of paddy for local consumption in
Tanzania. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the extent of availability, transfer and
utilisation of selected irrigated paddy production innovations in Mvomero district,
Morogoro region. Specific objectives of the study were to: identify basin irrigated paddy
production innovations available to the extension service; determine the extent to which
basin irrigated paddy production innovations are transferred and utilised and identify
factors contributing to success or failure in transfer and utilisation of basin irrigated
paddy production innovations. Data were collected from 134 respondents comprising of
120 farmers, 4 village extension workers and 10 key informants using questionnaires,
researcher's diary and checklist. Data were processed and analysed using programme for
Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and "content" analysis technique. The
findings showed that available irrigated paddy production innovations appear difficult and
not easily understood by farmers and field extension workers. The extent of transfer of
irrigated paddy production innovations take the form of advice mainly through group and
individual methods. It was concluded that some of the constraints to transfer such
innovations are of extension nature while others are beyond the responsibilities of
extension worker. The study recommended that efforts be made to refine basin irrigated
paddy production innovations; design continuous process of training for extension
workers and conduct case studies on acquisition of information by extension workers
from district agricultural offices.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Irrigation, Agricultural Development, Irrigation Innovation, Indigenous innovation